1st Advantage MortgageJefferson Davis Parish households have a median income of $57,341 and median rent of $848 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Jefferson Davis Parish
- Rent, home values and ownership in Jefferson Davis Parish
- How much Jefferson Davis Parish households make
- The Jefferson Davis Parish job picture
- Regional comparison for Jefferson Davis Parish
- Places inside Jefferson Davis Parish
- Who lives in Jefferson Davis Parish, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Jefferson Davis Parish
- Budget math at the Jefferson Davis Parish median
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Jefferson Davis Parish
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jefferson Davis Parish
Jefferson Davis Parish is home to about 31,924 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 33rd most populous of 64 county-level areas in Louisiana. Spread over 652 square miles, that works out to roughly 49.0 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Lake Charles, LA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Jennings is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 9,553 people (30% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Jefferson Davis Parish
A typical Jefferson Davis Parish rental runs $848 a month including utilities, which is 20% below Louisiana. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $150,800, about 2.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Median construction year: 1980.
| Housing | Jefferson Davis Parish | Louisiana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $848/mo | $1,064/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,800 | $216,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 55% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 28% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.8% | 12.6% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jefferson Davis Parish, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How much Jefferson Davis Parish households make
At $57,341, the typical Jefferson Davis Parish household income is 13% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Jefferson Davis Parish | +/- vs Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +1.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.9% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.9% | +1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -3.6 pts |
Some 32% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. 14.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 18.9%). None of these numbers decides a Jefferson Davis Parish application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Jefferson Davis Parish job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Compared with Louisiana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 3%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.7% in Jefferson Davis Parish. Long commutes are common here: 25% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Jefferson Davis Parish | Difference from Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.7% | -1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.8% | +5.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.8% | +0.3 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Regional comparison for Jefferson Davis Parish
Acadia Parish is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Beauregard Parish, is 41 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Jefferson Davis Parish; Cameron Parish is highest at $75,278 and Evangeline Parish lowest at $41,915.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Davis Parish | - | $57,341 | $848/mo | 77% |
| Acadia Parish, LA | 24 mi | $45,562 | $681/mo | 67% |
| Allen Parish, LA | 26 mi | $46,469 | $775/mo | 74% |
| Calcasieu Parish, LA | 32 mi | $67,564 | $1,109/mo | 73% |
| Cameron Parish, LA | 34 mi | $75,278 | $1,688/mo | 95% |
| Evangeline Parish, LA | 40 mi | $41,915 | $681/mo | 66% |
| Beauregard Parish, LA | 41 mi | $65,944 | $898/mo | 85% |
Places inside Jefferson Davis Parish
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Jefferson Davis Parish, by population. Together all 7 hold about 17,220 people, so roughly 46% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $78,185 at the median in Welsh, $37,575 in Elton. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennings | city | 9,553 | $48,558 | $881 | 10 mi |
| Welsh | town | 3,313 | $78,185 | $576 | 2 mi |
| Lake Arthur | town | 2,585 | $53,920 | $723 | 16 mi |
| Elton | town | 862 | $37,575 | $499 | 16 mi |
| Roanoke | CDP | 482 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Lacassine | CDP | 218 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Fenton | village | 207 | $22,438 | $631 | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Who lives in Jefferson Davis Parish, in numbers
15% of Jefferson Davis Parish adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 5.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Jefferson Davis Parish | Louisiana | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.4% | 27.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.3% | 12.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.2% | 8.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.4% |
| 60+ min | 13.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Jefferson Davis Parish
Where the Jefferson Davis Parish numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 25% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Jefferson Davis Parish budgets.
- 19% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Jefferson Davis Parish renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Budget math at the Jefferson Davis Parish median
Jefferson Davis Parish at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson Davis Parish: $4,778
- Median rent: $848, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $872 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jefferson Davis Parish's.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Jefferson Davis Parish:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jefferson Davis Parish.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Louisiana.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Jefferson Davis Parish
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jefferson Davis Parish, check the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Louisiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Louisiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jefferson Davis Parish earn?
The median is $57,341; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Jefferson Davis Parish?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $848 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Jefferson Davis Parish. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson Davis Parish?
By population: Jennings, Welsh, Lake Arthur, Elton, Roanoke. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jefferson Davis Parish or elsewhere in Louisiana, the same rules apply.